A Galesburg mayoral candidate who was unable to participate in a forum last week due to illness says he’ll let his campaign materials “reverberate” for the time being and has not accepted a challenge from his opponent for a debate.
John Pritchard, 69, previously served two terms as Galesburg mayor from 2013 to 2021. He’s challenging incumbent Peter Schwartzman, 56, in the April 1 consolidated election, with Schwartzman seeking a second term.
Pritchard originally said he would attend the Feb. 24 NAACP Galesburg Candidate Forum, but fell ill and was unable to participate.
TSPR asked Pritchard if he watched the forum, if he wanted to answer the questions that were posed there, or if he wanted to respond to Schwartzman’s answers to be published here.
Pritchard said his answers to a TSPR candidate questionnaire published last week summarize his stances.
“I did watch the forum you refer to,” Pritchard told TSPR. “My very thorough response to your questions last week encapsulates my views on serving the people, what I think are city government priorities, and my opponent's series of failures. I made a detailed case for change. At this point I have nothing to add to that. I may as time goes on, but not at this point.”
Schwartzman sent a press release the morning after the forum and copied Pritchard, wishing him a speedy recovery.
“Given the significance of this race, I think it is important that the voters get to see the deep differences between our political histories and platforms,” Schwartzman said in the release. “Therefore, I hereby invite Mr. Pritchard to a one-on-one debate to be held within the next few weeks. I hope to hear a prompt response and look forward to discussing our different visions for Galesburg’s future.”
Pritchard has not accepted the challenge. He told TSPR he sent a campaign mailer to voters last week that was “chock full of substance.”
“Many candidates try to get by with simplistic platitudes such as ‘safe streets, better schools, jobs,’ without giving any substance or details. My mailer had around 1,400 words which is far more than any candidate has sent voters in any election in Galesburg that I have ever seen,” Pritchard said. “I'm going to let that reverberate for the time being and will decide upon next steps when the time is right. Like most campaigns I don't share strategy.”
Pritchard’s mailer contains similar language to what was shared with TSPR for the candidate questionnaire.
A full video of last week’s mayoral and city council forum is available online.
Election day is April 1, but early voting is already underway.
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